Holder for lamp shades



May 29, 1928. 1,671,483

H. c. NOE

HOLDER FOR LAMP SHADES Filed May 29, 1924 8 \7 M c- M Emvantoz 33 dam/W s, v @m Patented May 29, 1928..

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HAROLD G. NOE, OF EAST ORANGE,'1\TEW JERSEY.

HOLDER FOB LAMP SHADES.

Application filed May 29,

My invention relates more particularly to holding shades or bowls to electric light bulbs although there are many other spherical objects in connection with which it can be utilized. Devices of this kind with which I am familiar are subject to the objection that they do not grip the bulb tightly and when employed in connection with bowls are dangerous by reason of the fact that they are liable to drop causing breakage or possible injury to a person underneath the fixture. \Vhen used-on the top of the bulb on account of not having a. firm hold the p shade easily tips to one side and imparts an unsightly appearance to the lamps.

My invention has for its object to provide a holder which will clamp the sphere at a point approximately diametrically opposite the starting point of the clamping device, and which will also exert a clamping force on other portions of the sphere, or lamp bulb; thereby firmly engaging the smooth surface with which electric light bulbs are usually provided.

My means for accomplishing the forego ing objects may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of my improved holder;

Fig. 2 is a cross section View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view;

Figs. 1, 5 and 6 are modified forms;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View, showing clip formed to hold loops.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, which are furnished for illustrative purposes only, my improvement is shown in connection with elec tric light bulbs of the ball type although it will be obvious to persons skilled-in the art that the attachment may be employed for holding any other more or less spherical obect. 1

As illustrated, the electric light bulb 1 is of the standard ball type provided with the usual threaded skirt 1 for engaging the socket. The shade holder comprises a frame member or cap 2 provided with a plurality of loops 3 and 4 each of substantially circular form. As shown, I have employed only two although it will be obvious that three 1924." Serial no. 716,561.

able. 'lhese loops are inclined towards and idly secured at their bases to the member 2.

This may be accomplished by means of solder or they may be secured by a clip formed from the member itself; one example of such clip connection being illustrated in the modification shown in Fig. 41. The loops extend around the bulb 1 and clamp the same at points 5 and 6, which as seen are diametrically opposite the starting oints 7 and 8. It will be clearly seen from Fig. 3' of the drawings that these loops are closer together when the lamp bulb 1 is not in position than when it is in place as shown in Fig. '1, resulting from the resilient character and mounting of the loops, which presses the extreme outer ends of the loops toward each other. The insertion of the bulb 1 between the loops at the point which engages the bulb spreads them until the center of the bulb has passed these points when .cross each other, at X, the loops being rigthe resiliency ofthe spring wire, of which the loops are preferably formed, causesthem to spring inwardly the segments engaging the lamp bulb diametrically opposite their respective starting points, or bases 7 and 8.

It will be apparent from this description that pulling upon the lamp bulb merely serves to cause the loops to engage the bulb more tightly thus permitting the attachment to be employed for suspending bowls from the bulb as is done in some types of lighting units.

It will also be obvious to persons skilled in the art from the foregoing description that the loops will clamp the bulb so tightly that there will be no danger whatever of any movement of the shade.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I have shown modified forms of attachment for the bases of the loops, but I desire to be distinctly understood as not limiting myself to the specific details of construction shown in these drawings as it will be obvious that many different forms of construction may be utilized to employ my invention which con sists of the discovery that by crossing the wires as illustrated and, by the particular construction employed, causing them to clamp the spherical ob ect at points approximately diametrically opposite the starting point gives a clamping effect to the attachment not obtained in-an other way.

Referring to the met ification illustrated in Fig. 4;, 2 represents a metallic cap or top member which for purposes of illustration is shown as made of one piece of sheet metal, having clip portions 9 stamped out of the metal and serving to secure the inwardly extending ends 10 of the loops 3 and 4 to the cap 2 in such a manner as to cause the lower or extreme ends of the loops to be pressed together as pointed out above. For

I this connection it will be noted that the resilient character of the spring Wire loops,

and the manner in which they are formed,'

provide, in effect, a snugly fitting enclosure; and this enclosure, when occupied by the bulb, holds the bulb in spaced relation with the cap or top member.

It will be noted by reference to Figs. 2, 3., 5 and 6 that the portions of wire 7 and 8, located adjacent the open ends of the loops 7 and 8, and serving to secure such loops to the member 2, extend in a direction transverse to the planes of the loops. In other words, each such wire portion preferably lies in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the loop. This construction gives exceptional strength and resilience to the loops.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: 1

1. A device for attaching shades to electric light bulbs comprising a top member adapted to extend over the end of an electric light bulb opposite the socket-engaging end of the bulb, two wire loops carried thereby, said loops extending downwardly from said top member in substantially opposite directions so that said loops cross one another at opposite sides of the bulb, and said loops being rigidly fastened to the top member, so that the lower ends of the loops engage opposite sides of the bulb with a spring pressure, to firmly grip and hold the bulb.

2. A device for attaching shades to electric light bulbs comprising a cap member adapted to lie over the end of an electric light bulb opposite the socket-engaging end of said bulb, two wire loops carried by said member and extending downwardly therefrom in transverse directions so that said loops cross one another at opposite sides, said loops having their open ends extending in a direction transverse to the plane ofv the loop and secured to said member whereby pivotal movement of the loops relative to the cap is prevented, and the lower loop ends engage sides of the bulb opposite respectively to their open ends with a spring pressure, HAROLD C. NOE. 

